Over 1,000 in Ukraine witness unveiling of Konowal memorial (09/10/00)

Over 1,000 in Ukraine witness unveiling of Konowal memorial

TORONTO - Well over 1,000 people witnessed the unveiling of a trilingual plaque and sculpture honoring Ukrainian Canadian hero Filip Konowal in his home village of Kutkiv, Ukraine, on Monday, August 21, exactly 83 years after Konowal's heroism at Hill 70 earned him the Victoria Cross. The sculpture, prepared by Lviv sculptor Petro Kulyk, and a trilingual plaque describing Konowal's deeds, was unveiled in Kutkiw, where members of the Konowal family still reside.

Organized by Branch 360 of the Royal Canadian Legion, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the unveiling and blessing of this sculpture marks the end of several years of efforts on the part of the Ukrainian Canadian community to recall the valor of Canada's only Ukrainian recipient of the British Empire's highest military distinction, the Victoria Cross. Cpl. Konowal received this medal personally from King George V in recognition of his courage during the battle for Hill 70, near Lens, France, on August 21, 1917.

In addition to unveiling the statue, Branch 360 arranged for the preparation and distribution throughout Ukraine of copies of a trilingual booklet "Konowal: A Canadian Hero" (Kashtan Press, 2000), co-authored by Lubomyr Luciuk and Ron Sorobey, as well as a commemorative pin. A delegation from the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv, headed by the charge d'affaires, Emil Baran, planted a Canadian maple tree at the site. The principal guest of honor at the event was Hanna Konoval, the granddaughter of Filip Konowal. In Ukraine a commemorative postal envelope was released, and plans are being made for an official Ukrainian postage stamp honoring Konowal. Meanwhile, in Canada, a parallel commemorative service was held in Ottawa also on August 21.

Commenting on these events the president of Branch 360 of the Royal Canadian Legion, John B. Gregorovich, said: "Although we regret that the Canadian government saw our project as being a private matter, undeserving of any significant support, we are pleased at the overall success of our efforts. The Kutkiv event was widely reported upon in Ukraine and in both of Canada's national newspapers. And we have placed four trilingual plaques recalling Konowal's valor across Canada. In Ukraine we were able not only to help the residents of Kutkiv honor their own local hero but reminded them of how Konowal, even though he was cut off from his family and Ukraine, never forgot who he was, living out his life as a proud Ukrainian Canadian and veteran. We still hope to institute a Konowal Fellowship that would assist members of Ukraine's military to pursue post-graduate studies alongside their counterparts in the Canadian forces."

Konowal, who emigrated to Canada in 1913, enlisted on July 12, 1915, with Ottawa's 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Sent overseas in the summer of 1916, he was transferred to the 47th Canadian (British Columbia) Infantry Battalion, shortly afterwards being appointed to the rank of lance corporal. Konowal went into combat in the early fall of 1916 as part of the 4th Canadian Division, during what came to be known as the Battle of the Somme. He also took part in the battle of Vimy Ridge. On August 21, 1917, during the battle for Hill 70, Konowal fought with such exceptional courage that he was later personally awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V.

Over the past several years Branch 360 of the Royal Canadian Legion has worked to ensure that Filip Konowal's valor is not forgotten. Trilingual plaques recalling his heroism have been unveiled in the Cartier Square Drill Hall (Ottawa), with the cooperation of the Governor General's Foot Guards, in Toronto at Branch 360, on Queen Street West and in the Drill Hall of the Royal Westminster Regiment in British Columbia.

Furthermore, Branch 360 sponsored the publication of a trilingual booklet, Konowal, which brings together much of what is known about Konowal's life and deeds.

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